New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1887-10-10
A QUESTION FOR HONEST MEN

The battle of Senator German against the
people of Maryland deserves close attention
1t is, in fact, the struggle Of a party against
the people the fight of Democratic Admins
tration against justice ard law Mr.. German S
tools are President Clevcands trusted
officials. MIR. Germans nng is the
Democratic party in Maryland. The methods
by which he has beaten down opposition within
his party are precisely those by which his
party overthrow Rcpublcanism in that State
and the Senator's bascst tools were sent to
Ohio and Indiana to use the same methods for
the defeat Of Republicans and the election oil
Senators TO support the Democratic President.
For those efforts they have their reward in fat
Offices. Crimes like those which failed in
Ohio did succeed in certain Southern States,
and elected Mr.. Cleveland President.
Now influential Democrats protest and unite
themselves in resistance. Conspicuous Dem
ocratic journals print the evidence against MIR
Germans tools, and justify the revolt. That IS
we'll though it is not consistent Have these
Democrats and these journals ever objected
to the gravcr crimes by which Mr.. Cleveland
was elected? Did they object when crimes OF
the same sort promised them Democratic Scna-
tors in Ohio. Indiana and Ncw-Jcrscy All
good citizens of either party are under obiIga'
lions to maintain, and have the deepest interest
in maintaining, the integrity of the elective
system upon which our freedom rests. W no
ever assails or uDdermncs that system, who
ever polutcs the springs of all political power
by cxcusing any fraud in elections, is traitor
to free government. is it not the duty OF re-
spectacle Democrats, then, TO consider what
their party has done in other States, as well as
in NIaryand7 These democrats were bound
to know that President Cleveland was elected
by criminal methods in Southern States. But
in place of candid Investigation they rcsortcd
to snecrs about the "bloody shirt" Years OF
organized assassination had first given to Dem
ocratic criminals the possession Of Offices
through which they could carry elections by
fraud, or manufacture false returns. When
they used that power, virtually DISTINGUISHING
"A million cOlorcd citizens in Southern States
what one of these respectable Democrats
uttered word of protest?
Instead these Democrats glccfully accepted
and enjoyed the fruits of crime. Many of them
sit in places Of honor to-day, and live on fat
Offices, given them by a President who was
elected by fragrant crimes. They gloatcd over
their victory knowing that 1t was tainted
with fraud and stained with blood. They
boastcd Of their PARTISAN strength as if it were
honest. They have even calculated ever since
upon repetition OF the same crimes 10 secure
for the party the same apparent strength.
Many of these respectable Democrats went stil
further. They defended the crimes by which
the Legislatures of Ohio, Indiana and New
Jersey were disorganized. They hoped 10 see
a Democratic majority in the United States
Senate secured by foul means. Their press
including the very papers which now expose
and denouncc Senator Germans tools. scofied
at the charges of fraud in these other States,
even when prominent Democrats were indicted
or convicted for their offences. With bnzcn
ctTrontcry. they denied that any wrong had
been done. Notorious criminals were protected
By the whole power of the Democratic party.
respectable members voting with the bascst
and most shameless to shield the guilty. Is
it strange that, after becoming familiar with
such dark pages of history as these. honest
men in this country have little faith in Dem
ocratic regard for purity Of clectlonsf